1 Million Cups Provo Recap: M-Vac Systems and The City Launch

This event is held every week and features two startups or a guest speaker.

I attended the 1 Million Cups event at the industrial/modern chic startup offices in downtown Provo. This event is held every week and features two startups or a guest speaker. Today, the two startups that presented were MSI Systems, who produces a forensic DNA collection device, and The City Launch, a hybrid PR firm that focuses on local PR.

MSI kicked off the meeting by describing their wet vac system and how it helps in DNA collection for forensic purposes. They went into detail on some cases their device helped solve. One in particular was a 17 year old cold case, wherein the M-Vac System collected DNA from a river stone. With that DNA, police were able to track down the killer in Florida and were able to close a long standing unsolved mystery.

MSI was asked if there were any other applications other than forensics for the wet vac. Jared Bradley, the CEO of MSI explained that the collection tool was actually invented by his father for food safety reasons. It’s designed to sample food products for harmful bacteria. However, he went on to explain that the food industry is not required such stringent guidelines yet. Thus, their machine is well ahead of its time in that application.

In 2012 they pivoted to the forensics field and have never looked back. The M-Vac System has been featured on TV shows such as CSI and Cold Case.

You can find out more information on MSI at www.m-vac.com.

The second company to present was The City Launch. The City Launch principal, Asenath Horton describes her company as a hybrid PR firm. She explained that The City Launch focuses on local PR and social media management. She describes the two as symbiotic and gave some great examples of the success her clients have experienced. One client in particular was featured in 14 separate news stories from her efforts.

Asenath started The City Launch a few years ago when she decided she wanted to do something that engaged her and that she loved doing.

More information on The City Launch can be found at www.thecitylaunch.com.

Published 4/30/2014